Key facts
- A US Navy 'Corsair' sea drone rescued two crew members from a downed AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.
- This marks the first publicly confirmed instance of an unmanned vessel being used for a rescue operation.
- The two soldiers were rescued within approximately two hours and are reported to be in stable condition.
- The 'Corsair' drone is 24 feet long, capable of carrying 1,000 pounds, and has a top speed of 35 knots.
- The drone is operated by the US Navy's Task Force 59, which focuses on the deployment of unmanned systems for maritime security.
A US military sea drone, the 'Corsair', successfully rescued two crew members from a downed AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first publicly confirmed instance of an unmanned vessel being used for such an operation. US Central Command confirmed the soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition.
President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down the aircraft while it was patrolling regional waters. The rescue was conducted by a 24-foot-long 'Corsair' drone, operated by the US Navy's Task Force 59, which focuses on deploying unmanned systems for maritime security. The drone is capable of carrying 1,000 pounds and has a top speed of 35 knots.
Task Force 59, established in 2021, began fielding these drones in the Middle East in late March. The US Navy awarded the drone's manufacturer a $392 million production contract for its autonomous maritime vessels. Experts suggest the rescue likely involved manual remote operation, with the drone chosen for its proximity and capabilities in a potentially dangerous area.